Teen years are a time of growth and discovery. Understanding personality types can lead to growth and balance in life.

Teenage hormones seem to amplify the traits that once appeared cute and adorable. Here is a guide to identify some of the more common personality types as well as advice on how to work on their weaknesses.

Beauty Queens and Kings

Yes, there are indeed beauty kings out there. Look for those who follow fashion, wear branded clothing and spend a fortune on beauty products and treatments. Image is very important to these teens.

ATWO: (Areas to work on) Don’t neglect inner beauty and character development.

Flirts

Flirts are mostly female and easy to recognize. They flutter their eyes, walk in a jaunty manner and dress to attract attention. The only problem is they have little intention of settling into a relationship.

ATWO: Be careful of hurting people’s feelings.

Dramatics

These teens overemphasize everything and to them, nothing is ordinary. A broken nail is a total disaster and a missed bus, a tragedy. Their dramas are accompanied by expansive gestures and loud monologues.

ATWO: Try and tone it down. People get tired of excessive emotion.

Jocks

Every school has them; guys whose lives revolve around team sports. They hang together, have their own language, are always talking strategy and project an image of elitism.

ATWO: Realize there are other things in the world besides sport.

Teacher’s Pets

Also known as “suck ups”. These teens know just how to work the school system. They do their homework properly and on time. They ask questions in class and offer to help the teacher. They may even bring them an apple.

ATWO: Don’t over do it and end up alienated from class mates.

Emos

Short for emotional. These teens are into deep feeling and are known by their dress code. Tight black jeans and T-shirts, studded belts and black hair worn long over one eye are sure signs of an emo.

ATWO: Don’t become too exclusive and block out other groups.

Health Nuts

These individuals live for exercise and diet. Think gym, jogging, health food and protein shakes and that’s them in a nutshell. They wear sporty clothes and normally have loads of energy.

ATWO: Don’t become too rigid. It’s not a sin to eat chocolate occasionally.

Nerds

Stereotypical nerds are skinny, spotty and wear glasses. Modern day nerds often look normal but are pale from extended periods in libraries and laboratories. They are super-smart and love to engage in academic discussions.

ATWO: Don’t forget how to talk about normal things.

Perfectionists

Their lockers are pin-neat and their pencils are arranged by color. Their text books are stacked in alphabetical order and everything has its place.

ATWO: Relax and have some fun. Ordered isn’t always best.

Gossips

These are the know-alls of the school. If something’s going down, they’re the first to know about it. They have the low-down on everyone and everything.

ATWO: People don’t trust those who talk too freely.

Teen years can be difficult and most teenagers are a mix of the above types. Understanding their motivation and drive can go a long way to better communication and relationships in general. The important thing is to remember that they will grow up and things will improve.

More information on teenage personalities and coping mechanisms can be found in Life Strategies for Teens by Jay McGraw. Jay is son of Dr Phil.